TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A tectonic earthquake magnitude of 5.4 jolts the area of Solok regency, West Sumatra, on Saturday, July 21. The earthquake at 02:58 pm was originated on land. The surrounding area, including Padang, also felt the quake.

The Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) analysis shows that the epicenter was located at coordinates of 1,07 ST and 100,55 WE or precisely on land.

“It is 15 kilometers from southwest of Solok City, West Sumatra,” said Head of Earthquake Information and Tsunami Early Warning, Daryono.

The source of the quake has 14 kilometers depth. Earthquake in Solok is classified as the shallow crustal earthquake. “That occurs due to the active fault, the Sumatran Fault Zone in the segment of Sumani Fault,” he said.

The result of the source mechanism analysis shows that this earthquake was generated by rock deformation. Its mechanism of movement is the horizontal sliding fault type (strike-slip).

The earthquake shocks were felt among others in the area of Padang City and Painan in the intensity scale of II-V MMI. According to reports from the community, this earthquake was also felt in Gunungtalang (V MMI), Padang (III-IV MMI), Bukittinggi (III MMI), Padang Panjang and Padang Pariaman (II-III MMI), and Sawahlunto (II MMI).

There were also many residents ran out of the house to escape. In some areas, there was minor damage caused by the earthquake.

Until 03:14 pm, BMKG monitoring results have not shown any aftershock activity. BMKG asks the public to remain calm and not be affected by issues that the truth cannot be justified.

ANWAR SISWADI